The Rail Department was formally established on Monday after receiving royal endorsement from His Majesty the King.
The endorsement of the new agency under the Transport Ministry was published in the Royal Gazette on Sunday and took effect on Monday.
The newly created agency was upgraded from the Rail Project Development Office under the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office. It functions as a policymaker and regulator for overall rail management as the country is embarking on numerous railway projects including high-speed train lines, beginning with the under-construction double-track line between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Over the next 10 years, plans call for developing a 6,000km network with double-track, electric and high-speed rail.
“The Rail Department is tasked with proposing rail-related policy, strategy and development plans for the complete rail network, not only at home but also connectivity with neighbouring countries,” Nathporn Chatusripitak, a spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, said in February.